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France orders non-essential public places to close | France orders non-essential public places to close |
(32 minutes later) | |
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has ordered the closure of all non-essential public locations from midnight (23:00 GMT Saturday) in response to the coronavirus outbreak. | French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has ordered the closure of all non-essential public locations from midnight (23:00 GMT Saturday) in response to the coronavirus outbreak. |
The measure applies to restaurants, cafes, cinemas and nighclubs as well as non-essential businesses. | |
Mr Philippe also called on French people to reduce their travel, especially between towns. | Mr Philippe also called on French people to reduce their travel, especially between towns. |
France reported a sharp rise in cases on Saturday, from 3,661 to 4,499. | France reported a sharp rise in cases on Saturday, from 3,661 to 4,499. |
It recorded 12 more deaths, bringing the toll to 79. | It recorded 12 more deaths, bringing the toll to 79. |
Spain is poised to declare a 15-day national lockdown on Monday to battle the virus, following similar measures by Italy - where 1,441 people have now died - earlier this week. | |
And the US is to extend its European coronavirus travel ban to include the UK and Republic of Ireland. The ban will begin at midnight EST on Monday (04:00 GMT Tuesday), Vice-President Mike Pence announced. | |
On Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Europe was now the "epicentre" of the pandemic. Its head Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries to use aggressive measures, community mobilisation and social distancing to save lives. | |
What does the French shutdown entail? | What does the French shutdown entail? |
Mr Philippe said the shutdown would apply until further notice. | Mr Philippe said the shutdown would apply until further notice. |
It would not, he said, affect essential businesses which he listed as food shops, chemists, banks, tobacco shops and petrol stations. | It would not, he said, affect essential businesses which he listed as food shops, chemists, banks, tobacco shops and petrol stations. |
Local elections due on Sunday would also still go ahead. | Local elections due on Sunday would also still go ahead. |
Religious buildings would remain open but gatherings and ceremonies should be postponed. | Religious buildings would remain open but gatherings and ceremonies should be postponed. |
The prime minister justified the shutdown by saying the spread of the virus in France was accelerating and the number of people needing intensive care support was growing. | The prime minister justified the shutdown by saying the spread of the virus in France was accelerating and the number of people needing intensive care support was growing. |
He also said too many people were still out in the streets and not following earlier guidelines. | He also said too many people were still out in the streets and not following earlier guidelines. |
"The best way to slow down the epidemic", he said, was "social distancing". | "The best way to slow down the epidemic", he said, was "social distancing". |
The BBC's Paris correspondent Hugh Schofield says the measures amount to a dramatic ratcheting up of the French response reflecting growing alarm at the fast spread of the virus. | |
What is happening in Spain? | |
With 191 deaths and 6,046 infections, Spain is the worst-hit country in Europe after Italy, which declared a nationwide lockdown on Monday. | |
Authorities recorded 1,800 more cases since Friday evening - many in the capital Madrid. | |
The Spanish government is poised to declare a 15-day national lockdown under which people would be allowed out of their homes only for emergencies, to buy food, or for work. | |
All public transport would be cut back with airline, train, bus and boat operators told they need to cut their services by at least half and that any plane, train, bus or other means of transport can only be a third full, Reuters news agency reports. | |
This will be the second state of emergency in the country since the transition to democracy began in 1975, the first being a 2010 air traffic controllers' strike. | |
Some measures have already been enforced at local level. Madrid and its surrounding area have ordered the closure of most bars, restaurants and shops. | |
In other developments | In other developments |
Are you in France? Have you been affected by the coronavirus? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in France? Have you been affected by the coronavirus? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |